Dutch courage

Posted by ESC on June 04, 2008 at 21:27

In Reply to: Dutch courage posted by Colin on June 04, 2008 at 20:00:

: Where did the phrase "dutch courage" originate?

"In the 17th century the English-Dutch hostility over control of the seas and disputed parts of the New World was intense.The anti-Dutch tradition of early English settlers persisted and gives (America) such terms as.'Dutch treat,' 1887; 'go Dutch,' 1931, no treat at all, each person paying for his own meal or ticket." Dutch courage -- courage inspired by booze, the Dutch were once said to be heavy drinkers. From the Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson (Fact on File, New York, 1997)

• Dutch courage Lewis 06/June/08